Late Autumn 96

In Response to the Summer 96 Issue

Dear Aine,

I received the newsletter last night, and just finished reading your article entitled "Is This the Face of the Goddess?".

Thank you for such an informative and complete article. As a volunteer at the Woman's Center in Cambridge, I was connected with a woman on the run from an abusive relationship. Her husband is a respected man on the job, and she was having a hard time convincing "the system" that the life of her 10 month old son, as well as hers, was genuinely in danger.

The strain of doing what needs to be done is amazing, both to her and her son, and to the people around her. Her family is constantly on the lookout for danger, and anyone who helps her, such as myself, is warned that he has tried to kill her and any escorts she has. Luckily, this woman managed to keep her strength, once she found it, and has done everything possible to protect her child, her rights, and the people around her. She is winning.

Unfortunately, her story is not as common as it should, or perhaps could be. Too many women and men in abusive relationships do not know where to turn, or even that there is help out there for them. Your suggestions of process, and descriptions of signs to watch for, are a wonderful step in the direction that we must move as a community to help save lives of victims. Thank you for having the courage to break your silence. Only through education can we begin to get a handle on this type of crime. This education must include not only the partners involved, but also families, friends, co-workers, coven members, children, volunteers...

I also wanted to pass on to you some of the resources that I have encountered. Please pass them on to others. The Cambridge Police will escort domestic violence victims to court or other meetings where there is a danger of encounter. Cambridge has a policy of being a domestic violence-free zone, and they seem genuinely committed to this ideal. Also, the Women's Center in Cambridge has a resource center that contains the phone numbers of numerous hotlines, counseling centers, legal services and shelters.

They also conduct support and therapy groups on site. As you mentioned, the most important thing that can be done by anyone involved is documentation!! Get witnesses, get escorts, talk to friends, family, counselors, the police, and WRITE IT DOWN!!

No one deserves to live with domestic violence. May we all have the strength to help those we can, as you have done. Please keep writing articles like this one.

Many Blessings,
Tracy W.
Somerville.

PS: The Women's Center tells me that they have found volunteer escorts and support for many women who call. Most of the callers say nothing more than "I need help, what do I do..." Their number is (617) 354-8807. Callers do not need to live in Cambridge.